Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Sandhill Cranes

We headed out for a drive yesterday to see if we could find some Sandhill Cranes.  Until a decade ago they were rarely seen here, but now they seem almost common; you may remember we have seen 1000 or more in a huge migratory flock, feeding on corn left behind after harvest.  That happened in early November two years ago.  This time Mrs. F.G. had seen a Facebook post showing Sandhill Cranes 'near Elsinore'.  So off we went.

When we got to Elsinore (west of Owen Sound on the highway to Southampton) we headed north on a sideroad, and before long discovered this group of four marching across a winter wheat field.  The Cranes separate into pairs and nest in the many wetlands around here during the summer, largely out of sight, then start gathering as family groups in the fall to be ready for migration.

This is a typical stance of the cranes as they walk across a field searching for food.  They basically eat anything, from plants and seeds to invertebrates and small animals or birds.

Although all these shots are cropped down dramatically from shots with my Nikon 200 mm. zoom and are therefore a little blurry, this shot does show the red patch of feathers on their head.

This was my favourite shot of that first group.

We drove back to Highway 21 and took the first south concession road where we saw three more groups, one in the far distance where I counted 19 individuals.  But I enjoyed this group of four walking steadily across another field in the distance.  Compare the background in the shots to see their steady progress.

And these three were in a flock of 8 when they lifted off and headed further away.  They have up to a six foot sing span and look very graceful when flying.  All in all we saw nearly 40 Sandhill Cranes in all, and I got what I think are my best photos of them ever.




17 comments:

  1. A treat to see those Sandhills! I hear them passing over in the Spring. An unmistakable sound.

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  2. The four marching along in a procession, all they need is a leader with a trumpet!! Love the red touch, they are magnificent. I wonder how far they fly to winter over?

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  3. Another comment, I Googled Sandhill Crane wintering over, and found some very good data from the University of Nebraska, Info gathered from banded, GPS fitted and other means of location devices. It seems they fly long hours each day, and winter over in Florida or Northern Georgia. But I know your research expertise will be far better than mine, and as the cranes start off in your own area, you might have more to offer, on these magnificent birds when they move south.

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  4. Sandhill cranes are such impressive-looking birds. You were fortunate to see so many. Great photos!!

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  5. Excellent shots of the cranes! What a treat to see so many!

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  6. I've never seen them up here but have seen them in Florida. How lucky were you to see this group!

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  7. We don't see the Sandhill Crane over here, but Common Cranes are increasing in number. Splendid birds.

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  8. I don't see them here, and I haven't seen any of the local wildlife shooters post any either. One expects bird photos to be well cropped. There's not much you can do about it unless you really have dedicated and high-priced gear.

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  9. another bird i do not see here...i don't know why but i thought they were exclusively a "down south" bird!! awesome captures!! you have to love Facebook for the information it provides!!

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  10. Impressive at a distance. I imagine they’d be a bit threatening close to.

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  11. We get sandhill cranes here in the winter. They are fun to watch, and I love their call.

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  12. Beautiful birds, you were fortunate to see so many. We had one near here last winter, the first I've seen in years.

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  13. Sandhill Cranes are truly magnificent birds. We have seen countless numbers of them in southeastern Arizona years ago. I love their 'weebling' calls. The first Sandhill Crane I ever saw was about 25 years ago south of Galt Ontario of all places.

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  14. They are so dramatic. One day I hope to go to our mid-country and see their gathering. I better schedule it soon!

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  15. Great sandhill shots. Those usually head south through Nebraska next to our state. People like to see them in the spring.

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  16. Nicely done! I've seen two. Once. One year!

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